T. Maccius Plautus, Stichus, ed. Friedrich Leo, 3.2

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454

Gelasimvs

Libros inspexi; tam confido quam potis,

me meum optenturum regem ridiculis meis.
455

nunc interviso, iamne a portu advenerit,

ut eum ádvenientem meis dictis deleniam.

Epignomvs

Hic quidém Gelasimus est parasitus, qui venit.

Gelasimvs

Auspicio hodie óptumo exivi foras:

mustela murem ábstulit praeter pedes;
460

cum strena óbscaevavit; spectatum hoc mihist.

nam ut illa vitam repperit hodie sibi,

item me spero facturum: augurium hac facit.

Epignómus hic quidemst qui ástat. ibo atque adloquar.

o Épignome, ut ego nunc te conspicio libens,
465

ut prae laetitia lacrimae prosiliunt mihi.

valuistin usque?

Epignomvs

Sustentatumst sedulo.

Gelasimvs

Propino tibi salutem plenis faucibus.

Epignomvs

Bene atque amice dicis. di dent quae velis.

Gelasimvs

Cenem illi apud te, quoniam salvos advenis.

Epignomvs

Locatast opera nunc quidem; tam gratiast.

Gelasimvs

Promitte.

Epignomvs

Certumst.

Gelasimvs

Sic face inquam.

Epignomvs

Certa res.

Gelasimvs

Lubente me hercle facies.

Epignomvs

Idem ego istuc scio.

quando usus veniet, fiet.
475

Gelasimvs

Nunc ergo usus est.

Epignomvs

Non edepol possum.

Gelasimvs

Quid gravare? censeas.

nescio quid vero hábeo in mundo.

Epignomvs

I modo,

alium convivam quaerito tibi in hunc diem.

Gelasimvs

Quin tu promittis?

Epignomvs

Non graver, si possiem.

Gelasimvs

Vnum quidem hercle certo promitto tibi:
480

libens accipiam certo, si promiseris.

Epignomvs

Valeas.

Gelasimvs

Certumnest?

Epignomvs

Certum. cenabo domi.

Gelasimvs

Quando quidem tu ad me non vis promittere

sed—quoniam nil processit hac, ego ivero

apertiore magis via; ita plane loquar:
485

vin ad te ad cenam veniam?

Epignomvs

Si possim, velim;

verum hic apud me cenant alieni novem.

Gelasimvs

Hau postulo equidem med in lecto accumbere:

scis tu me esse unisubselli virum.

Epignomvs

At ei óratores sunt popli, summi viri;
490

Ambracia veniunt huc legati publice.

Gelasimvs

Ergo oratores populi, summates viri,

summi accubent, ego infimatis infimus.

Epignomvs

Haud aequomst te inter oratores accipi.

Gelasimvs

Equidem hercle orator sum, sed procedit parum.
495

Epignomvs

Cras de reliquiis nos volo. multum vale.—

Gelasimvs

Perii hercle vero plane, nihil obnoxie.

uno Gelasimo minus est quam dudum fuit.

certumst mustelae posthac numquam credere,

nam incertiorem nullam novi bestiam;
500

quaen eapse deciens in die mutat locum,

ea ego auspicavi ín re capitali mea?

certumst amicos convocare, ut consulam

qua lege nunc med essurire oporteat.—

Stichus. T. Maccius Plautus. ed. Friedrich Leo. Berlin. 1896.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by The National Endowment for the Humanities.

Current edition Perseus

Stichus (Latin) (Plautus. Plauti Comoediae, Volume 2. Leo, Friedrich, editor. Berlin: Weidmann, 1896.)

Translations (1)

Stichus, or The Parasite Rebuffed Perseus (Plautus. The Comedies of Plautus, Volume 1. Riley, Henry Thomas, translator. London: G. Bell and Sons, Ltd., 1912.) — 3.2 focus

454 (Enter GELASIMUS.)

GELASIMUS

(to himself.)

I’ve consulted my books; I’m as sure as possible,

that by my funny bon mots I shall recover my patron¹. Now I’m going to see whether he has arrived by this from the harbour, that when he comes I may smooth him down with my speeches.
455

EPIGNOMUS

Surely, this is Gelasimus, the Parasite, that’s coming.

GELASIMUS

(to himself.)

With lucky auspices, by my troth, this day did I come out of doors;

since an omen auspiciously befel me². This was beheld by me; how a weasel carried off a mouse close at my feet. For as she found sustenance for herself this day, so do I hope that I shall do, as the augury predicts.
460

(Sees EPIGNOMUS.) Surely this is Epignomus that’s standing here; I’ll go and address him. My dear Epignomus, how pleased I am to see you now; how my tears are starting forth for very joy. Have you all along enjoyed your health?
465

EPIGNOMUS

With care it has been preserved.

GELASIMUS

Right heartily I wish you health³.

EPIGNOMUS

You speak kindly, and like a friend. May the Gods grant what you wish.

GELASIMUS

EPIGNOMUS

I, sup there with you?

GELASIMUS

Since you are returned safe.⁴

EPIGNOMUS

Really, an engagement has been made already; but I give you thanks.

GELASIMUS

Do promise me.

EPIGNOMUS

It’s settled.

GELASIMUS

But do, I say.

EPIGNOMUS

The thing’s agreed on.

GELASIMUS

By my troth, you’d do it with much pleasure to me.

EPIGNOMUS

I know that well.

When an opportunity shall come, it shall be so.
475

GELASIMUS

Now, then, is the opportunity.

EPIGNOMUS

I’ faith, I cannot.

GELASIMUS

Why make difficulties? Do consider; I have I know not what luxuries at hand⁵.

EPIGNOMUS

Do be off, now; seek for yourself another guest for to-day.

GELASIMUS

You promise, then?

EPIGNOMUS

I would make no difficulty if I could.

GELASIMUS

Really, on my word, one thing, for sure, I promise you, I’d entertain you with pleasure, beyond a doubt, if you would promise.
480

EPIGNOMUS

Adieu!

(Moving.)

GELASIMUS

Have you resolved?

EPIGNOMUS

I have resolved. I shall dine at home.

GELASIMUS

(aside.)

Since nothing has been effected this way, I’ll therefore approach him by a more open path, and I’ll speak plainly out.

(To EPIGNOMUS.) Since you, yourself, are not willing to promise to come to me,

should you like that I should come to dine with you?

EPIGNOMUS

If it were possible, I should like it; but here are nine other people⁶ coming to dine at my house.

GELASIMUS

For my part, I don’t ask that I should recline on the couch; you know that I’m a man for the lower seats.

EPIGNOMUS

But these are deputies of a people, tip-top men they come here as public ambassadors from Ambracia ⁷.
490

GELASIMUS

Let then the deputies of a people, your tip-top men, recline at the tip-top place; I, the lowest, in the lowest quarter.

EPIGNOMUS

It isn’t proper for you to be entertained among deputies.

GELASIMUS

I ’faith, and I—I’m a deputy, too⁸, but little it does avail me.
495

EPIGNOMUS

I intend that to-morrow we shall dine upon the scraps. Sincerely, farewell.

(Goes into his house.)

GELASIMUS

By my troth, ’tis clear that I’m undone, and by no fault of my own⁹. The number is less than it was before by one Gelasimus. I’m resolved, hereafter, never to believe in a weasel,

for I know of no beast more uncertain than her. She who herself is ten times a day shifting her place, from her have I taken my omens in matters of life and death to me! I’m determined to call my friends together, to take counsel how by rule I must starve henceforth.
500
(Exit.)

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Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Gelasimvs Libros inspexi; tam confido quam potis, me meum optenturum regem ridiculis meis. 455 nunc interviso, iamne a portu advenerit, ut eum ádvenientem meis dictis deleniam.

Epignomvs Hic quidém Gelasimus est parasitus, qui venit.

Epignomvs Sustentatumst sedulo.

Gelasimvs Propino tibi salutem plenis faucibus.

Epignomvs Bene atque amice dicis. di dent quae velis.

Gelasimvs Cenem illi apud te, quoniam salvos advenis.

Epignomvs Locatast opera nunc quidem; tam gratiast.

Gelasimvs Promitte.

Epignomvs Certumst.

Gelasimvs Sic face inquam.

Epignomvs Certa res.

Gelasimvs Lubente me hercle facies.

Epignomvs Idem ego istuc scio. quando usus veniet, fiet. 475

Gelasimvs Nunc ergo usus est.

Epignomvs Non edepol possum.

Gelasimvs Quid gravare? censeas. nescio quid vero hábeo in mundo.

Epignomvs I modo, alium convivam quaerito tibi in hunc diem.

Gelasimvs Quin tu promittis?

Epignomvs Non graver, si possiem.

Gelasimvs Vnum quidem hercle certo promitto tibi: 480 libens accipiam certo, si promiseris.

Epignomvs Valeas.

Gelasimvs Certumnest?

Epignomvs Certum. cenabo domi.

Gelasimvs Quando quidem tu ad me non vis promittere sed—quoniam nil processit hac, ego ivero apertiore magis via; ita plane loquar: 485 vin ad te ad cenam veniam?

Epignomvs Si possim, velim; verum hic apud me cenant alieni novem.

Gelasimvs Hau postulo equidem med in lecto accumbere: scis tu me esse unisubselli virum.

Epignomvs At ei óratores sunt popli, summi viri; 490 Ambracia veniunt huc legati publice.

Gelasimvs Ergo oratores populi, summates viri, summi accubent, ego infimatis infimus.

Epignomvs Haud aequomst te inter oratores accipi.

Gelasimvs Equidem hercle orator sum, sed procedit parum. 495

Epignomvs Cras de reliquiis nos volo. multum vale.—

Current edition Perseus

GELASIMUS (to himself.) I’ve consulted my books; I’m as sure as possible, that by my funny bon mots I shall recover my patron 1 . Now I’m going to see whether he has arrived by this from the harbour, that when he comes I may smooth him down with my speeches. 455

EPIGNOMUS Surely, this is Gelasimus, the Parasite, that’s coming.

EPIGNOMUS With care it has been preserved.

GELASIMUS Right heartily I wish you health 3 .

EPIGNOMUS You speak kindly, and like a friend. May the Gods grant what you wish.

GELASIMUS

EPIGNOMUS I, sup there with you?

GELASIMUS Since you are returned safe. 4

EPIGNOMUS Really, an engagement has been made already; but I give you thanks.

GELASIMUS Do promise me.

EPIGNOMUS It’s settled.

GELASIMUS But do, I say.

EPIGNOMUS The thing’s agreed on.

GELASIMUS By my troth, you’d do it with much pleasure to me.

EPIGNOMUS I know that well. When an opportunity shall come, it shall be so. 475

GELASIMUS Now, then, is the opportunity.

EPIGNOMUS I’ faith, I cannot.

GELASIMUS Why make difficulties? Do consider; I have I know not what luxuries at hand 5 .

EPIGNOMUS Do be off, now; seek for yourself another guest for to-day.

GELASIMUS You promise, then?

EPIGNOMUS I would make no difficulty if I could.

GELASIMUS Really, on my word, one thing, for sure, I promise you, I’d entertain you with pleasure, beyond a doubt, if you would promise. 480

EPIGNOMUS Adieu! (Moving.)

GELASIMUS Have you resolved?

EPIGNOMUS I have resolved. I shall dine at home.

GELASIMUS (aside.) Since nothing has been effected this way, I’ll therefore approach him by a more open path, and I’ll speak plainly out. (To EPIGNOMUS.) Since you, yourself, are not willing to promise to come to me, should you like that I should come to dine with you?

EPIGNOMUS If it were possible, I should like it; but here are nine other people 6 coming to dine at my house.

GELASIMUS For my part, I don’t ask that I should recline on the couch; you know that I’m a man for the lower seats.

EPIGNOMUS But these are deputies of a people, tip-top men they come here as public ambassadors from Ambracia 7 . 490

GELASIMUS Let then the deputies of a people, your tip-top men, recline at the tip-top place; I, the lowest, in the lowest quarter.

EPIGNOMUS It isn’t proper for you to be entertained among deputies.

GELASIMUS I ’faith, and I—I’m a deputy, too 8 , but little it does avail me. 495

EPIGNOMUS I intend that to-morrow we shall dine upon the scraps. Sincerely, farewell. (Goes into his house.)

Stable identifiers

Gelasimvs

Libros inspexi; tam confido quam potis,

me meum optenturum regem ridiculis meis.
455

nunc interviso, iamne a portu advenerit,

ut eum ádvenientem meis dictis deleniam.

Epignomvs

Hic quidém Gelasimus est parasitus, qui venit.

Epignomvs

Sustentatumst sedulo.

Gelasimvs

Propino tibi salutem plenis faucibus.

Epignomvs

Bene atque amice dicis. di dent quae velis.

Gelasimvs

Cenem illi apud te, quoniam salvos advenis.

Epignomvs

Locatast opera nunc quidem; tam gratiast.

Gelasimvs

Promitte.

Epignomvs

Certumst.

Gelasimvs

Sic face inquam.

Epignomvs

Certa res.

Gelasimvs

Lubente me hercle facies.

Epignomvs

Idem ego istuc scio.

quando usus veniet, fiet.
475

Gelasimvs

Nunc ergo usus est.

Epignomvs

Non edepol possum.

Gelasimvs

Quid gravare? censeas.

nescio quid vero hábeo in mundo.

Epignomvs

I modo,

alium convivam quaerito tibi in hunc diem.

Gelasimvs

Quin tu promittis?

Epignomvs

Non graver, si possiem.

Gelasimvs

Vnum quidem hercle certo promitto tibi:
480

libens accipiam certo, si promiseris.

Epignomvs

Valeas.

Gelasimvs

Certumnest?

Epignomvs

Certum. cenabo domi.

Gelasimvs

Quando quidem tu ad me non vis promittere

sed—quoniam nil processit hac, ego ivero

apertiore magis via; ita plane loquar:
485

vin ad te ad cenam veniam?

Epignomvs

Si possim, velim;

verum hic apud me cenant alieni novem.

Gelasimvs

Hau postulo equidem med in lecto accumbere:

scis tu me esse unisubselli virum.

Epignomvs

At ei óratores sunt popli, summi viri;
490

Ambracia veniunt huc legati publice.

Gelasimvs

Ergo oratores populi, summates viri,

summi accubent, ego infimatis infimus.

Epignomvs

Haud aequomst te inter oratores accipi.

Gelasimvs

Equidem hercle orator sum, sed procedit parum.
495

Epignomvs

Cras de reliquiis nos volo. multum vale.—

GELASIMUS

(to himself.)

I’ve consulted my books; I’m as sure as possible,

that by my funny bon mots I shall recover my patron¹. Now I’m going to see whether he has arrived by this from the harbour, that when he comes I may smooth him down with my speeches.
455

EPIGNOMUS

Surely, this is Gelasimus, the Parasite, that’s coming.

EPIGNOMUS

With care it has been preserved.

GELASIMUS

Right heartily I wish you health³.

EPIGNOMUS

You speak kindly, and like a friend. May the Gods grant what you wish.

EPIGNOMUS

I, sup there with you?

GELASIMUS

Since you are returned safe.⁴

EPIGNOMUS

Really, an engagement has been made already; but I give you thanks.

GELASIMUS

Do promise me.

EPIGNOMUS

It’s settled.

GELASIMUS

But do, I say.

EPIGNOMUS

The thing’s agreed on.

GELASIMUS

By my troth, you’d do it with much pleasure to me.

EPIGNOMUS

I know that well.

When an opportunity shall come, it shall be so.
475

GELASIMUS

Now, then, is the opportunity.

EPIGNOMUS

I’ faith, I cannot.

GELASIMUS

Why make difficulties? Do consider; I have I know not what luxuries at hand⁵.

EPIGNOMUS

Do be off, now; seek for yourself another guest for to-day.

GELASIMUS

You promise, then?

EPIGNOMUS

I would make no difficulty if I could.

GELASIMUS

Really, on my word, one thing, for sure, I promise you, I’d entertain you with pleasure, beyond a doubt, if you would promise.
480

EPIGNOMUS

Adieu!

(Moving.)

GELASIMUS

Have you resolved?

EPIGNOMUS

I have resolved. I shall dine at home.

GELASIMUS

(aside.)

Since nothing has been effected this way, I’ll therefore approach him by a more open path, and I’ll speak plainly out.

(To EPIGNOMUS.) Since you, yourself, are not willing to promise to come to me,

should you like that I should come to dine with you?

EPIGNOMUS

If it were possible, I should like it; but here are nine other people⁶ coming to dine at my house.

GELASIMUS

For my part, I don’t ask that I should recline on the couch; you know that I’m a man for the lower seats.

EPIGNOMUS

But these are deputies of a people, tip-top men they come here as public ambassadors from Ambracia ⁷.
490

GELASIMUS

Let then the deputies of a people, your tip-top men, recline at the tip-top place; I, the lowest, in the lowest quarter.

EPIGNOMUS

It isn’t proper for you to be entertained among deputies.

GELASIMUS

I ’faith, and I—I’m a deputy, too⁸, but little it does avail me.
495

EPIGNOMUS

I intend that to-morrow we shall dine upon the scraps. Sincerely, farewell.

(Goes into his house.)